THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 540, 21 January 1882, Page 2

THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

The Conference transacted the following business during yesterday afternoon (in addition to that wired to usi yesterday):—Messrs Buddie, Kirk, and Watkin requestecfi permission to retire from the full andi regular work of the ministry, on account of increasing infirmities. Consideration of the request was deferred uni il a later stage of the meeting, with a I view of ascertaining whether a charge of a less laborious character could I not be allotted to them.—Messrs Biiittle, Gray, and Salter (probationers), w|ho have completed their fourth year, jwere subjected to a viva voce examination in regard to their theological vjiews. The examination was regarded as satisfactory, and they were unanimously received into full connection with the Conference. Messrs Abernethy, Dellow, Hudson, Spence, Isitt, and Wills, probationers of three years’) standing ,* Messrs Caughey, Brooke, Dukes, Martin, and Murray, probationers of two years’ standing ; and Messrs Gillam, Parsonson, Pinfold, and| Slade, probationers of one years’ standing, were passed in their respective years, the report on their examination having proved entirely satisfactory.—rlt was resolved that in consideration of; the circumstances under which M' Gillam came to New Zealand, he gain an additional year’s standing. [from our ow:jr correspondent.] The examination of probationers in their several years proved highly satisfactory, their average marks being exceedingly good. I They all passed in their course, except that one case, having reference to a breach of discipline, was placed in the hands of a Committee, to be brought up next week. The question of a supernumerary ministe: who had gone into business during the year received a very careful com ideration, with the result that the la w of the connexion relating thereto be upheld. The minister’s name i: therefore dropped from the Conference minutes, which means that no sea 1 in the district meeting or Conference can be held by such an one except on sufferance ; but the name is retained in the Conference journal nevertheless. In several ways the decision was important. The request to retire front active labor which was preferred by Messrs Buddie, Kirk, and Watkin was n iceived with regret, and the hope wa i expressed that they would yet be spared in health to fulfil their labors and w thdraw their resignations. They agree dto consider this,